The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital was the setting for a magical light display last week, with local businesses, supporters and the community coming together to wish sick children a Merry Christmas.
In the run up to Christmas, we have been running our Christmas Campaign again to raise funds to make sure that no child visiting or staying in hospital this Christmas misses out on the festive fun.
Last week, we created a magical light projection on the side of the children’s hospital to wish all the children and their families and very Merry Christmas and to thank the staff who are working this Christmas.
Spending time in hospital over Christmas isn’t fun for anyone, but it’s even worse for children – not knowing if Father Christmas will know where to find them, not being able to enjoy Christmas at home with their family, not to mention being scared and worried about their treatment.
Which is why, every year, we bring Christmas to children in hospital, delivering advent calendars and gifts to children in hospital, putting on Christmas parties and festive activities, and bringing Santa to the hospitals, as well as delivering Christmas meals and hampers to families on Christmas day.
Part of this year’s display included stars sponsored by local businesses whose support has meant we can make Christmas happen for thousands of children across Sussex. Some of these businesses, including Platinum Media Group, Bird and Blend Tea Co, The Agora Clinic, Trident Group, Organic Zoo, The Grand Hotel and Port Hall Estates, came along to the hospital to see the display first-hand and enjoy some mulled wine and mince pies.
During the evening, guests were given a tour of the Royal Alex so they could see exactly how their support helps, they were also able to see a lantern and star making workshop for patients of the hospital run by our new Wellbeing Manager, Jess Linton.
Along with the display, the Rockinghorse team, with the help of Olympic Diving Medallist Leon Taylor, delivered hampers to the NHS staff at the hospital as a way of saying a huge thank you for all the work they do.
Amanda Hetherington, Head of Partnerships at Rockinghorse, thanked everyone for their support, “Having so many local businesses supporting us, especially at Christmas, means such a great deal to us. Being able to make sure no child misses out on their usual Christmas treats is so important, but none of this could happen without this support.
“So, a huge thank you to every single person, company, school and club that has helped support us this Christmas, and throughout the year.”
And there’s still time to support our Christmas campaign. Just take a look at our campaign page here.
